Move to protect property owners stalling Trump scheme

The councillor who rejected Donald Trump’s plans to build a £750million golf resort in Scotland has launched a fresh move to protect residents who refuse to make way for the development.

Martin Ford was sacked as chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure committee after using his casting vote to temporarily bunker the billionaire’s dream of building “the world’s greatest golf course” at the Menie Estate near Balmedie.

The planning application was later called in by the Scottish Government, and the US property tycoon is now preparing to begin work on his championship course.

Mr Trump has since been given permission to add four neighbouring properties – Mill of Menie, Menie Fishing Station, Hermit Point, and Leyton Cottage – to the plan, but the owners have so far refused to sell.

Despite Mr Trump’s insisting he will not ask the council to use compulsory purchase powers (CPOs) against them, Mr Ford believes leading councillors should break their silence on the matter.

The Green Party member has now asked Provost Bill Howatson, council leader Anne Robertson and the heads of the authority’s policy committees if they support the use of CPOs.

Their responses, should they choose to answer, will be published in papers for next week’s full council meeting.

Mr Ford said: “It has been known for more than a year that Donald Trump wants to take over more land to increase the size of his planned development.

“The residents deserve to know where the council stands. Leaving them in limbo like this is monstrous. Of course, it doesn’t take a question from me for councillors to be able to give residents the reassurance they need. Any councillor could at any time state his or her view on whether residents should be forced out to suit Mr Trump.”

Full Story: The Press & Journal